Stihl Pro Splitting Maul (Big Ox)

Today I'm reviewing the Stihl Pro Splitting Maul (Ochsenkopf Big Ox), splitting seasoned Grey Box Eucalyptus. This is a great option both for splitting large tough hardwood and for wedge driving. Check out the video to hear what I think in detail of this German-made classic splitting tool used in Aussie conditions.

[@brettbrown9814]

Thanks for a very professional review. It certainly gets the job done.

[@TheGreasyfastspeed]

I love my big ox for splitting knotty english hardwood but i thinned the handle quite a lot as i found it uncomfortable after long use

[@axesofoz717]

Yes it is a great tool for splitting the really difficult stuff. I use mine for wedge driving and it is awesome for that too.

[@kurts64]

Cheers for the vid, been keen to see an Aussie test of this thing. What do you reckon of the hook on the blade?

[@axesofoz717]

The hook is a good idea for pulling logs out of the wood pile, but it's a heavy head on a long handle so it can bit a bit awkward to use like that too much. Cheers mate.

[@MattKeevil]

Looks like a great maul!

[@axesofoz717]

Yeah it's a good one.

[@jasonmcmillan4373]

Any links on where to get one? A quick search doesn't bring up anyone who has stock.

[@axesofoz717]

Try searching under "Stihl Cleaving Hammer". A few stores come up with stock available in Australia.

[@adrianbranham2023]

@@axesofoz717 walk into your local steel dealer and ask to look at their catalog. The name is pro series splitting maul, that's how I purchased mine about seven years ago, it was worth every penny.

[@aussiehardwood6196]

Nice... seems very effective. I just hung a 7lb Cyclone sledgehammer with a nice two-tone cross wedge on a 36" handle. The OX being 6.6lb?...well thats a serious chunk of steel. Id like to try that splitter, I find some rounds of gum species just a waste of time with my 4-5lb Tassies even the X27 will bounce off the rounds. Its disheartening when a heavy sharp ax bounces off round after round...thats when the saws come out.

[@axesofoz717]

Yeah mate this is a beast of a splitter. Works great on everything I have tried. Another one I would like to try is the Muller 5 kg maul. Bit pricey though.

[@aussiehardwood6196]

Thanks, I'll check it out. I really like the fact we can access good Euro ax's through both Stihl & Husqvarna dealers despite being a kind of vintage ax user. I like that hook feature on the Ox, imagine it would be nice to stand up rounds that have fallen on their side.

[@axesofoz717]

@@aussiehardwood6196 Yeah that hook on the heel is a useful feature.

[@TheGreasyfastspeed]

@@aussiehardwood6196 the Adler super splitter looks to be in the same league as the big ox, i’ve not used it myself but i will add it to the arsenal at some point soon.

[@brettbrown9814]

Thanks for a very professional review. It certainly gets the job done.

[@axesofoz717]

Cheers mate. A very effective all-around maul.